LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 172, 15 April 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sir James Alien slated yesterday that the Defence Department would bo in a position to make payment about Juno 1 of tho moneys due to soldiers in lieu of retrospective separation allowances. The House of Representatives agreed last session to the payment of a certain sum to soldiers in lieu of these retrospective allowances.' It has always been the contention of tho Returned Soldiers' Association that the men of the earlier drafts, who went away without such generous provision being made for their dependants, should have later allowances from the time of their first joining the forces.

An amendment is being made in the regulations dealing with the re-grading of teachers. The amendment is to the effect that teachers' appeals must be submitted before May 1)1, instead of before the end of July, ns formerly stipulated. The reason for the change is that it has .been found possible to get out the grading list earlier than usual, and teachers will still have amjte time in which to submit their appeals if they should desire to make them. As a consequence of this earlier date being fixed, it will be possible to have the apneals dealt with correspondingly earlier. Next year it is anticipated that the grading list will be completed still earlier,.

A summary of New Zealand casualties as at March 31 gives the following inl'omatioii: —Officers: Dead, 773: wounded, 1720: total, 2493. Other ranks: 'Died, 15,840; wounded, 39,590; total, 55,430. Grand total, 57,929.

About 1.48 p.m. yesterday a Wallace Street car, while proceeding down Cuba Street, collided with a motor wagon belonging to Thompson, Le vis, and Co., cordial manufacturers. Though the brakes were promptly applied the car crashed into the front portion of the wagon, with the res.nlt that 'lie front wheels, the bonnet, and the engine of the latter were badly damaged.

A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that as a sequel to a raid on a "two up" school at Devonport twenty-six men appeared in court yesterday. Decision was reserved by the Magistrate on the question of whether the place where the game was played was a public place within the meaning of the Act.

Some returned soldiers are asking if they are entitled during their privilege leave prior to discharge to wear mnfti and to take a private position for wages. There is no doubt about tho soldier's right, during his 28 days' leave priorjo discharge, to go straight to work and ("iscard uniform if he wishes. Paragraphs 25a and 28 of the "Returned Soldiers' Handlwok'" can be quoted as giving direct avthority. The only exception to the right to wear mufti during this period is that if the soldier is using his four weeks' railway privilege he has to travel in uniform.

A Press Association message from New Plymouth states that a deputation of the Tourist and Expansion League waited on the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald to ask for a subsidy and also for more publicity in the Government Guide Book. The Minister expressed appreciation of tho work of tho league, which was a great benefit to his Department. He promised the J?SO asked for, and eulogised the attractions of the district and the magnificent fertile country, adding that it was a revelation lo him to see what the league had accomplished-

I'u his report submitted to householders last evening Mr. I<Y Bennett, the-head-master of the Britomart Street School, said that they were, short of teachers in New Zealand, and the reason was that the returning soldiers who were previously teachers were not returning to the profession, finding better scope for their abilities iu other directions. .He also staled that Britain was short of 25,1101) teachers.

A youthful defendant in a by-law case at Ihe Magistrate's Court at Christchureh asked tho Magistrate: "Did you ever ride a motor-bike with two other bikes 011 your shoulder?" The Court admitted that it had not performed this teat, ..ut reminiscently added that it had gone as far as carrying a step-ladder and a swarm of bees while riding a push-biko. The defendant subsided before the laughter did. The attention of the public is callcd to tho announcement that tho banks will be closed from Thursday afternoon of this week until Thursday morning of next week. The period includes the usual Easter holidays and St. George's Day. As a sequel to recent labour disputes, the Labour Department has decided to institute proceedings in the Court against the Millerton Miners' Union and tho Wairoa freezing works chamber hands. Tho secretary of the Wellington Timber Workers' Union yesterday informed a Dominion representative that tho employers and employees in the timber industry liad held a conference to discuss the union's demands for increased wages. Tho conference did not reach an agreement, but a further meeting is to be held, and there is some prospect, of a settlement being made without reference to the Arbitration Court.

Mr. John Hall, who has 'been residing .it Oliinemuvi for many years, died on tlio morning of Monday, April 7. Three of his sons volunteered for the war, and returned to liotorua with the contingent by the Westmoreland, Mr. llall on the Saturday night said: "I am determines to live until I see my boys on Monday." On Sunday he lost his sight, and said: "I shall not see them now, but I hope to liear their voices." He died a few hours before-the train readied Rotonm. Mentioning among other great national questions which had, been neglected in the past, tho subject of forestry, Mr. I,ei<*h Hunt at yesterday's, -meeting ot the Wellington Central Chamber of! Commerce referred to a letter of inquiry for New Zealand timber for Palestine. It wos stated by Ml*. Or. Goolc that it was problematical as to whether New Zealand would have enough timber for her own requirement? in'a few years. Mr. Hunt replied that if the Government nad adopted a proper forestry system twenty vcars ago it might have been in a better position to deal with such inquiries, but owin" to the neglect it was more than probable that we would 'be inquiring in Austria and Palestine for timber supplies in the future. In reply to a suggestion of a deputation of tlie Returned Soldiers' Association yesterdav, Sir James Allen said tl.at lie would submit to Cabinet tho request thai Anzao Day (April 2o) should be declared a statutory holiday. The decision of a district court-mart-ial, which tried Sidney Beck on a charge of having deserted from tho forces, has been promulgated. The court found Beck guilty, and sentenced him to imprisonment for six months. This sentonco was reduced by the convening officer to 81 days' detention. Beck pleaded conscientious objections to military service. Tho Mount Cook School Committee, during its year of office, which expired Last evening, procured and fixed upon the wall of every room in each of the schools under its administration, a laree copy of the Ten Commandments. Permission was nlso granted to the Rev, li. Braddock to attend tho schools alter school hours, and deliver a series of "talks" to those scholars who voluntarily remain, on the following subjects: "David,' "Ruth" "Queen Victorias Childhood, ,J Some' British Flags," "Character," "Companionship." '"Passion and Patience" "Bad Habits and the Great Deliverer," and "The New Heart." "It is "ood news" (stated the outgoing committee in its report at the Mount Cook School election Inst evening), that the Technical School, after working for so manv years under great difficulties owin" to inadequate accommodation, is now "to have a new and up-to-date home built on tho Mount Cook site, and we hope shortly to hear of arrangements for building a new primary school tor this district."

Tlio dean-np week a! Alirnnmr conin.enecd yc-'tcrdny, anil th» miscollmiesns assortment which found its way to the rv.bbi«h pile during the day wn> ample evidence of the need for a general clean O'd bedsteads, battered -perambulators wicker boskets, chairs, etc., made n formidable mound when collccted at tiie borough rubbish tin to be consigned lo tile llames. Although four carts were kept going for the whole day, long less than a quarter section of the district was covered. It is understood that th« councill will in future hold an annual "clean up," so that next year the work should not 1m as heavy as in the 1 present instance, z

A Cadet barracks is to be held at Wellington College shortly, oil the lines that proved successful last year. The arrangements are in the hands of the Group Commander (Captain Hull).

During the period of the war there has been 110 cessation of harbour improvement works at many of tho large American ports, according to the enginreito the Auckland Harbour Board, Sir. W. 11. Hanier. who has just return-iii from a visit to the United States. Reporting to the board last week, he sanl that, notwithstanding the concontratHi of all national effort on the war,'and consequently a scarcity of labour for local vorks, projects of great public importance in various stages of development •were being advanced. Indeed, some et the greater works at certain ports were urgent portions of a wonderful war programme, and remarkable instances of modern construction and rapid wor.s. Compared with conditions in New Zealand there seemed to be hardly a halt in the feverish hasto of seaports to prepare lot peace, with its accompanying competition and expansion of trade.

The question of future aerial transport throughout Australia was discussed last week bv the I'ederal Cabinet (says the Melbourne "Argus"). Applications for registration for excursion aud general aerial transport work have been made to the Commonwealth Treasury authorities by several private companies, and the Government has had to .consider how far such enterprises would meet the regulations proposed by the Defence authorities in regard to military and naval aviation. Another point raised was the extent to which it wou'd be necessary for the Commonwealth and States, independently or ectin" in co-operation, to regulate aerial traffic by specific legislation, this having already been done to a certain extent by the British authorities, who contemplate further legislation on the subject. As a result of consideration of the position ny tho Cnbinei, the Acting Attornej-General was directed to consider, as early as practicable, the constitutional powers of the Commonwealth in regard to the matter, and if necessary to commuuicato witn tho States as to the necessity for some decree' of concert. In the meantime ins Cabinet decided that companies /vhni} had. made application might be registered if they satisfied the Government of their bona 'fides, and promoters would be advised that thev would be subject to legislation which might be imposed by the Commonwealth or States later on.

At a meeting of the Engine-drivers Union, held last evening, it was decided to refer the union's ease concerning wages to the Arbitration Court.

"That now the war is over this chamber resume its practice of each year callin!; together in conference representatives of tho local bodies and chambers of commerce in the Wellington province, for the purpose of discussing important matters of common interest, particularly hydro-electric development, reading, railways, closer settlement of rural districts, village settlements 011 town-planning lines, forestry, and motor tax. That a circular be sent, to all such bodies suggesting a conference, in June_ next, and inviting an expression of opinion 111 connection therewith."—Resolution passed by the council of the Central Chamber of

Commerce yesterday afternoon. A motion was passed at the meeting of tho council of the Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday, congratulating Hie' Prime Minister (thi* Right Hon. W. F. Mnssey) on gaining for New' Zealand a third interest in Nauru Island (whi.ih has the most valuable deposit of phosphate rock in the Pacific). Those who wore in touch with the farming industry would realise that the acquisition of such an interest would be an enormous asset to this country. The island was formerly owned by a German company, but 6incß the war' the, interests, of that company had been disposed of by tile British Government.

If laughter of many delegates and lack of protest by any when the li«TH. Worrall declared at the Methodist Conference ill Victoria last week that "the word 'damn' is a good word when used properly" reflected its views, (lie use of the word has now the., tacit approval of that body—tinder proper provocation (savs the "Melbourne Age"). Mr. Worrall "had been protesting against the circulation of articles he regarded as conducing to immorality, and related that when a deputation from the Council of Churches "placed the articles 011 Mr. AVatt's table, looked him right in til* eve. and asked him what he was going to.do about it." Mr. Watt thumped tho table and said, "Damn it, I will have this stopped!", It was then that Mr. Worrall contributed his defence, with a modification of the use tho word Mr. Watt had employed 111 ' the stress of his indignation. Delegates were amused and sympathetic till Mr. Worrall complained that 111'. Watt rati not vet slopped the practice that the deputation had complained of. "hen they, in turn, became indignant. Mr. Worrall appeared to have delegates still with him in his statement, that if they "could lock up 75 per cent, of the politicians in a ■ room whoro they would breathe only their own gas it would bi ing the millennium much more quick)y '-' n There was, he added, too many politicians and too few statesmen.

Great slackness, particularly among tlm Inter draft's of returned Australian pcrlflioi's, is noticed in regard to dress ,and failure to salute officers. "This matter is to be taken in hand at onco (states an Australian military order). There can be no possible excuse for officers, non-commissioned officers, 'and men vt-lio have been for long periods under strict discipline at the front and in tlie United Kingdom being lax in' this direction, mid it would appear that men are under the iinnression, for which there can be no justification or excuse, that once tliey have returned to Australia they may do as they please in tlieso matters. Apart from the offence itself, it should lie remembered that soldiers who have int been abroad, and the younger generation of trainees and cadets, naturally look to the A.I.F. for example, and that much harm must result when the example itself is as it noiv exists. Soldier? in uniform, and until discharge!, are subject nt all times to the regulations, and failure to pay the propel- respect to the King's commission is .to he at once noted and seriously dealt with. The excuse that a soldier did not see an officer is no excuse at all,'and the practice is common of men remaining seated or turning their backs on the approach of an officer, in very many cases showing absolute flagrant disregard of tueir dutv as laid down. The members of the A.1.-F. should set an example and take a nride in their bearing and Mhnvioiir ftt all times and in nil places. The Commnndnnt deplores the fnct that the action of a section of the men recently returned fo Australia should necessitate these matters beim: called attention to in til).'! manner, but the time has arrived when this slackness must, in the interest of discipline, cease."

•On November 25 the following cablo message was sent on behalf of Now /e<i* lniiders in Buenos Aires to "The Press : "liepre&ntatives Now Zealanders in i rgentina lull of pride splendid efforts achievements Dominion. Congratulate on glorious victory." This was signed by .Messrs. Douglas Stowr.rt (Anglo-South American Bank). Noel I'. Tribe (managet First National Bank of Boston), Ernest Ilaydon (Estancia Itio Ofa). A letter has just como to hand (says the 'Prcs?, from.Mr. Tribe, confirming pus cablegram, and stating that by a mistake the signature of Mr. William Reece, of Christclmrch, and manager of the General Electric Companv in Buenos Aires, \jas omitted.' Mr. Tribe adds: "The signing of the armistice was celebrated with tlio greatest enthusiasm in this city, and also throughout the country. The nnment tl\o news was received tlio streets vere filled with cheering crowds, and the Hags of all the Allied nations appoareci in every window and balcony, as if by magic. Innumerable street < demonstrations, banquets, and patriotic concerts have been held, and although ihb country is officially neutral its citizens have very clearly demonsratert 1 that they have been head; and soul with I the* Allies. November 14 was declared a national holiday, to enable (he country to celebrate the advent of peace." Mr. I Tribe mentions that among the 7000 British volunteers who left Argentina to take arms wore several ex-New Zealandors, including Mr. Harry Lane and Mr. Lunce Tribe, the writer's brothei. &U. Lance Tribe was discharged unlit for further service in 191(>, after having oeen severely wounded whilst serving ou the Western front.

The smart Gliapo tan boots and shoes. Stout soles, best uppors 3<fe. to 425., at Goo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street.-Advt.